St Pauls Secondary School
Monasterevin, Kildare
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 843 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 419 girls, 424 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61702D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Paul’s Secondary School is a large Catholic co‑educational secondary school serving Monasterevin and the surrounding community. Operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, the school is a DEIS (Delivering Equality in Schools) institution, which provides additional resources and support to ensure inclusive education for learners of all abilities. The curriculum follows the Department of Education’s second‑level programmes, offering a wide range of academic subjects at all levels, alongside a strong emphasis on personal development, spiritual growth, and social responsibility. The school is situated within the mature grounds of the historic Moore Abbey Estate, and a state‑of‑the‑art campus opened on a greenfield site in September 2023. Modern facilities support contemporary teaching and learning, including specialised classrooms, science labs, and a multi‑purpose hall used for extracurricular activities such as sport, music, and mental‑health initiatives. A broad extracurricular programme, including STEM projects, GAA, chess, and community‑service fundraising, encourages students to develop talents, leadership skills and a sense of civic engagement, preparing them for further education, employment and adult life.
History
St Paul’s Secondary School continues a long Catholic educational tradition in Monasterevin, with the Sisters of Mercy historically playing a significant role. After a period of planning, the new purpose‑built school on the Moore Abbey Estate opened its doors to students in September 2023, providing modern facilities to replace earlier premises and expanding capacity for the local community.
Applying to St Pauls Secondary School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to St Pauls Secondary School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about St Pauls Secondary School
How many pupils attend St Pauls Secondary School?
St Pauls Secondary School has 843 pupils enrolled, 419 girls and 424 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Pauls Secondary School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Pauls Secondary School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of St Pauls Secondary School?
St Pauls Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.